Massive Corn Maze Opens Sept. 7, Releases Aerial Photo

SPRING GROVE, IL — The massive corn maze at Richardson Adventure Farm will be opening this weekend and the business owners have released an aerial photo of its finished design, which is meant to recognize and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11, according to a news release from Richardson Adventure Farm.

The 28-acre maze at 909 English Prairie Road near Spring Grove includes 9.7 miles of trails. To put that into perspective, the farm's 19th maze is the size of about 21 football fields arranged in one big rectangle.

Every year, farm owners George and Wendy Richardson come up with a different theme. The view from above of this year's maze shows an intricate network of trails cut through the tall corn with panorama of images celebrating the first manned moon landing, with two astronauts, the Saturn rocket, an American flag, Earth and the words "Apollo 50" and "Richardson Farm," according to the news release.

Three stars honor the earlier Apollo 1 astronauts who perished in a capsule fire on the launch pad during a test in 1967, according to farm officials. The words "Next Giant Leap" represent future missions to Mars and other deep space destinations.

New this year, wine tastings and a beer garden tent will be on site to allow visitors to grab a drink while at the farm, which officially opens for the fall season on Sept. 1.

"We've added wine tastings from a nearby winery to our gift shop," said Wendy Richardson. "The new 'beer garden' tent down by the pig races and train depot will have live music most weekends, plus beer, wine, hot chocolate with schnapps and hot cider with rum."

Over the years, maze themes have honored milestones for the Chicago Cubs, Star Trek, Chicago Blackhawks, the Star Spangled Banner and even the Beatles.

The maze has many entry and exit points and no dead-ends and visitors can explore a small portion of the trails that comprise the design, or the whole thing, farm officials said. Maps are provided, marked with corresponding "checkpoints," and three wooden "bridges" within the maze serve as viewing platforms.

"No one's ever gotten lost," said Robert Richardson. "At least not for long. And no one's ever called 911."

Concession stands serve bratwurst, hot dogs, corn dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks. The "Dairy Depot" dishes up ice cream and the gift shop sells homemade kettle corn, fudge, donuts and local honey. You can get fresh, hot donuts at the "Donut Bin."

Richardson Farm has been in the family since 1840, and the Richardson family planted their first corn maze in 2001. Over the years, it has become an annual destination for family fun, with a huge maze that's different every year, plus more than 30 activities, including wagon rides, pig races, a vintage carousel and a "park train" that runs on real tracks. Most of the activities are included in the admission fee.

Only a few, such as the zip line and Zorb, cost extra. Private picnic sites with campfires and firewood are available by reservation, and there's plenty of free parking.

Richardson Adventure Farm will be open from 3 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from noon to 10 p.m. on Sundays. The maze will also be open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Columbus Day. The farm will remain open through Nov. 3.

On the two weekends closest to the full moon the maze will have "Maze 'til Midnight."

Admission is $17 to $19 per person for ages 13 and up, $14 to $16 for ages 3 to 12 years old and free for ages 2 and under. Group rates are available by reservation.

Activities Included in Admssion

• The Maze, with five Maze Games: Finger Fortune, FSI (Farm Scene Investigation), Farm Tracks, Quiz Questions and 24 Hidden Checkpoints. Game times range from 10-20 minutes to 60-90 minutes.
• Fenced Play Area especially for little kids (under 48") with swings, pedal trikes, shelled corn box, spider web climber, jumping pillow.
• Giant 100' slide.
• Tractor-drawn wagon rides.
• Vintage 30-horse carousel.
• Park train rides.
• Animatronic chicken show.
• Petting zoo.
• Pig races.
• Jumping pillows, sometimes called "moon walks".
• Pedal carts.
• Air cannons shooting tennis balls at targets.
• 50' high observation tower
• Three 8' high x 16' long observation platforms.
• Community campfire.
• Large picnic pavilions.
• Modern indoor restrooms.

Activities Available for Additional Fees

• Pumpkin Patch: Pick your own or choose from pre-picked pumpkins, squash and gourds for 45 cents per pound. They come in all sizes, shapes and colors: giant or small, smooth or warty, round or crook-necked, orange, yellow, red, blue, green or white!
• Xtreme Air Bungee-Enhanced Jumping: See how high you can jump in a bungee harness over a jumping pillow.
• Paintball shooting gallery.
• Panning for Treasures: gemstones, arrowheads or fossils.
• Bunnyville, with rabbits to cuddle, pet and feed.
• Ride a 650' long zip line from the 30' deck of the observation tower.
• Zorbing: Strap yourself and a friend inside a giant clear plastic ball and roll downhill.
• Private picnic sites with campfires and firewood, by reservation

More information vie the Richardson Adventure Farm website or 815-675-9729.